Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society
The Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society is located inside Marian Anderson’s longtime Philadelphia home, purchased in 1924. She resided there until 1943, and the home still boasts rare photos, books, memorabilia, and films that are a tell-all about her life. Blanche Burton-Lyles, Anderson’s mentee, founded the Museum and Historical Society in the two-story brick rowhouse. Along with preserving the history and educating the public on Anderson’s life, the home also houses the National Scholar Artist Program, an operation that Marian Anderson created herself in 1950. In 2011, the home was designated a Philadelphia Historical Commission landmark.
Marian Anderson Museum Restoration
In 2020, during the Museum’s closure for the COVID-19 pandemic, pipes in the historic home burst causing more than $500,000 in damages to both the infrastructure and artifacts. Today, the Museum remains closed to the public for repairs and restoration.
In 2022, DAR donated $150,000 to support the Marian Anderson Museum’s repair and restoration. These funds will be used to fix pipes and plumbing, gas heating, the furnace, the kitchen, the washer room, tile and electrical systems. The interior will be painted, and damaged artifacts and performance gowns will be restored. Following all needed repairs, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will conduct an inspection to deem when the Museum may reopen to the public.
132nd Continental Congress and Presentation
During the 132nd Continental Congress this summer, the DAR shared an update on the Marian Anderson Museum’s ongoing restoration project at her historic home in Philadelphia, announced various projects regarding preserving the memory of Anderson, and closed out the ceremony with a performance by the Museum's CEO, Jillian Pirtle, who is also an accomplished opera singer. Within the presentation, DAR announced that they have on loan one of the historic dresses restored with the National Society's donation. It was originally on display in Constitution Hall in June for the members to view during Continental Congress and is now on display at the DAR Museum Gallery from October 2 to February 15.
DAR was also thrilled to announce our newly established Marian Anderson Legacy Fund, which will provide funding for a new DAR scholarship and other initiatives that celebrate her memory.
